Dame Evelyn Glennie becomes university chancellor

Dame Evelyn Glennie said she was honoured

Percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie has become the new chancellor of Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University (RGU).

Profoundly deaf since she was a child, the Grammy-winning Aberdeenshire-born musician experiences sounds by absorbing vibrations while barefoot.

Dame Evelyn said the role was an honour.

She replaces Sir Ian Wood, who stood down after more than 16 years in the post.

Dame Evelyn was installed on Thursday

Dame Evelyn said RGU had a "fabulous reputation".

"What’s really struck me is the relationship between staff and students," she said.

And she added: "Our agenda is to reach out to not just Aberdeen the city, but the whole of the north east and make it really vibrant so that people, even after they’ve graduated here, think: 'My work isn’t done here in the north east, I want to stay'.”

Her many achievements have included performing at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, leading 1,000 drummers in a performance of a piece of music she wrote with electronic act Underworld.

The role as chancellor lasts for a term of four years, after which there is the possibility of an extension.